Disconnecting switch



1943- A. c. SCHWAGER ETAL 2,328,171

DISCONNECTING SWITCH Filed Oct. 31, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS.

- 5 BY CA /mus L. Game/s0.

a- 31, .1943. A. c. SCHWAGER ETAL 2,328,171

DISCONNECTING SWITCH Filed Oct 51, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS, Juausr C. 63/14 4 51? 3 62110945: L GIIPR/JOIV,

Patented Aug. 31, 1943 DISGONNEUIIN G SWITCH August 0. Schwager, Mlllbrae, and Charles L. Garrison, San Francisco, Calif., assignors to Pacific Electric Manufacturing Corporation, San Francisco, Calif a corporation of Callfomla Application October 31, 1942, Serial No. 464,038

Claims.

Our present invention relates to disconnectin switches, and particularly to those disconnecting switches of the type having a flattened or beavertail end that is adapted to be turned about the longitudinal axis of the switch blade to bring its flattened or beaver-tail end into high pressure contact making engagement with a cooperatin stationary contact.

An object of our invention is to providean operating mechanism for a disconnecting switch of the above type in which the circuit opening and closing movements of the switch blade and the contact pressure establishing rotary movements thereof are produced in a'new, novel and efiicient manner.

Another object of our invention is to provide an operating mechanism for a pivotally mounted disconnecting switch blade of the type having a beaver-tail end that is rotatable into and out of contact making engagement with a stationary contact when the switch blade is in its closed circuit position, in which substantially all of the rotary movement of the switch blade occurs prior to any pivotal circuit opening movement thereof or subsequently to any pivotal circuit closing movement thereof with respect to a cooperating stationary contact.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improvement in a disconnecting switch of the character described having a pivotally mounted blade that moves into cooperating relation to a stationary contact with a swinging and rotating movement, in which the blade operating forces are transmitted from a rotatable insulator stand to the pivotally mounted switch blade through an operating mechanism that will limit the rotatin movements of the switch blade to a point subsiantially at the beginning or at the end of its swinging circuit opening or circuit closing movements.

A further object of our invention is to provide an operating mechanism for a disconnectin switch of the character described in which there is provided a blade rotation controlling connection that will produce a greater blade rotation at the proper time than is possible with other similar operating devices of the prior art.

In the art to which our present invention relates there are a number of types of operating mechanisms for disconnecting switches of the character contemplated. In each of these types, in addition to swinging the switch blade between its open and closed circuit positions, the operating mechanism also imparts rotation to the blade for the purpose of bringing the end thereof into high pressure engagement with a stationary contact of proper design.

In each of the previous arrangements resort is had to an overtravel of the operating insulator column in order to complete the high pressure contact. This overtravel also limits, to a degree. the swinging movement of the switch blade during its rotative movement. However, due to the inherent characteristics of these operating mechanisms, unless there is provided considerable play or looseness in the connections of the operating mechanism, the switch blade must necessarily start its swinging movement at the same time that its rotary movement is initiated. Therefore, special precautions are taken by providing a suitable stop that will hold the switch blade at a predetermined position against any swinging movement as the operating mechanism imparts the initial or final rotary movements of the switch blade as it is respectively opened or closed.

To overcome the above disadvantages, we have provided an operating mechanism in which the blade swinging and rotating forces are transmitted from an operating mechanism carried by the switch blade supporting member and from which the rotative movement is imparted to the blade through a rotation transmitting device having a ratio of transmission that will increase the rotative movement of the blade over that of the operating mechanism and, at the same time, limit substantially all of the high pressure contact making rotative movement of the blade to that position where the switch blade is in its closed circuit position with respect to the stationary contact with which it is adapted to cooperate.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will be in part evident to those skilled in the art and in part pointed out hereinafter in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a preferred form of our invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the disconnectin switch shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation showing details of the operating mechanism and its connection with the switch blade,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary end view showing the manner in which the switch blade cooperates with the stationary contact,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing in detail the manner in which the switch blade may be rotatably mounted upon its pivotal support,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing a modifled form of our invention, wherein gear and pinion sectors are employed to transmit rotary movement to the blade from the operating mechanism, and

Figure '7 is a fragmentary side elevation with parts broken away and in section showing a variation of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the disconnecting switch, constructed in accordance with our present invention, is mounted upon three aligned insulator columns IO, M

and I2. These insulator columns are all carried by a common support |3 which may be carried by the crossarm of a pole or a portion of a transmission line supporting tower. The insulator column l carries a stationary contact Ill-from which there extends a line terminal I5 and the insulator column carries a bearing forming member l6 upon which a switch blade having a beaver-tail or flattened end I8 is pivotally mounted. As will presently appear, the switch blade I1 is joumaled to rotate axially upon a supporting member l9 which also carries a pivotal operating member that operates to impart rotation to the switch blade I! when the latter is in its circuit closed position with respect to the stationary contact I4. Extending rearwardly from the bearing forming member Hi there is a pair of spaced struts 2| that carry a guide bearing 22 in which the upper end of the insulator column I2 is adapted to turn, and extending from the guide bearing 22 there is a line terminal 23 to which the other side of the power line is connected. In the above arrangement the insulator columns I0 and II will be secured firmly at their lower ends to the support l3, but the insulator column I2 will be provided at its lower end with a suitable bearing support 24 that will permit it to be rotated axially. At its upper end and above its guide bearing 22 the insulator column |2 carries a crank arm 25 which is operatively connected to the pivotal operating member 20 through a yoke-like member 26 that operates to turn the operating member 20 through a predetermined are when the crank arm 25 moves adjacent to and through its centeredposition with respect to the longitudinal axis of the disconnecting switch. In this operation the yoke-like member 26 will have a complex swivel-like movement and it is, therefore, shown as connected to the crank arm 25 by means of a ball and socket connection 21. In order to facilitate a relatively free and uniform swinging of the switch blade II, we also provide a counter-balancing spring device 28 between the insulator column l2 and a downwardly depending arm carried by the switch blade supporting member I9. In this manner the increased turning moment of the switch blade II, when approaching its closed circuit position, and the effort required to move the switch blade II from its horizontal to its vertical position, are compensated for. As shown in these figures of the drawings, the insulator column I2 is provided with oppositely extending lever arms 23 by means of which this column, and any number of additional columns arranged side-by-side, may be rotated to open the several lines of a polyphase circuit by means of a common operating mechanism. The switch blade is here shown as carrying a flexible conductor that connects with a fixed portion of the bearing forming member IE or directly to one of the spaced struts 2| so that any current traversing the switch blade I! will not be required to pass through a journaled connection in the circuit. At this point it should also be noted that the pivotal operating member 20 is shown as journaled at a silght angle to the longitudinal axis of the switch blade so that the operating member 20 will pivot in the plane of movement of the switch blade II. On this point it should be explained that the angle at which the pivotal operating member 20 is disposed with respect to the axis of the switch blade I! is not of a critical nature. It has been found that the pivotal operating member 20 will operate with substantially the same results when its axis is disposed above and parallel to the axis of the switch blade I! and also when its axis approaches a right angle to that of the switch blade II. In this latter case, however, as will hereinafter appear, the operating connection between the operating member and the switch blade I! will necessarily needs be changed somewhat in design.

Upon now referring to Figure 3 of the drawings it will be seen that the pivotal operating member 20 has a downwardly depending arm 3| which extends substantially at a right angle to the axis about which this member pivots. This downwardly depending arm 3| of the operating member 20 is connected through a link 32 to a radially extending lever arm 33 shown as carried by the rotatable switch blade II. In this arrangement it should be particularly noted that the downwardly depending arm 3| of the operating member 20 has an operating radius which is somewhat greater than the operating radius of the lever arm 33. Therefore, with the link 32 connected, as shown, between the depending arm 3| and the lever arm 33, it will be apparent that the linear travel of the end of the downwardly depending arm 3| will be proportionally greater for each degree of its pivotal movement than will be the linear movement at the end of the lever arm 33 for each degree of blade rotation and, because of this difierence in the lengths of the depending arm 3| and the lever arm 33, it will be also seen that the rotatable switch blade I! will be turned through a greater number of degrees of rotation than will be the case with the pivotally mounted operating member 20. In this manner it will be possible, by properly proportioning the relative lengths of the downwardly depending arm 3| upon the pivotally operating member 20 and the lever arm 33 upon the rotatable switch blade II, to obtain substantially any desired additional rotation of the rotatable switch blade ll over the amout of pivotal movement available through the operation of the pivotal member 20. In other words, by this arrangement the applicants have provided a blade rotation transmitting connection between the operating member 20 and the rotatable switch blade H by which any desired ratio of blade rotation may be obtained with an operating mechanism of the type contemplated which has an inherently limited operative movement.

When the switch blade [1 is in its circuit closed position with respect to the stationary contact l4, its flattened or beaver-tail end |8 will be disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, and when in this position, its edges will make a high pressure engagement with opposed contact surfaces 34 and 36 of the stationary contact l4. Now, should the switch blade I] be rotated about its longitudinal axis, it will be seen that the edges of its flattened or beaver-tail end l8 will be turned in a counter-clockwise direction and out of contact making engagement with the contact surfaces 34 and 36 of the stationary contact l4 prior to any swinging or upward movement of the switch blade II. This will serve to overcome any binding action between the beaver-tail end ll of the switch blade I! and the contact surfaces 34 and 35, which might be occasioned by an accumulation of ice, oxidation or any other interfering element, and will serve to free the switch blade l1 so that it may be freely swung upwardly with its pivotal support I! as the operating crank arm carries the yoke-like member 26 around to exert a pulling force upon the pivotally mounted operating member 20.

While it is conceivable that the rotatable switch blade Il may be mounted upon its supporting member l3 by various methods, we have, in Figure 5, shown a preferred arrangement wherein the switch blade H, of tubular construction, is Journaled upon an outwardly extending stub-shaft 36 which is fixed upon and extends radially outward from the axis about which the supporting member I9 pivots. In this arrangement the supported end of the shaft 36 carries a needle bearing 31 upon which the inner end of the rotatable switch blade is supported, and at its outer end, the shaft 36 carries a ball bearing assembly 38 that is centered in and held against end play within the switch blade H at a point substantially intermediate its length. The lever arm 33 is here shown as secured upon the switch blade I! by a clamping means 39. A pressure lubricating nipple 40 is also shown as provided to facilitate lubrication of the needle bearing 31.

In Figure 6 of the drawings there is shown a modification of our invention in which rotation is imparted to the rotatable switch blade I! through a gear sector 4| carried by a pivotal operating member 42 that cooperates with a pinion sector 43 secured upon the supported end of the switch blade. In this arrangement the pivotal operating member 42, like the pivotal operating member 20, is mounted to pivot about an axis disposed in the plane of movement of the switch blade l1 and at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof. For simplicity, the yokelike member 26 is omitted from this figure of the drawings, but it will be understood that an operating yoke-like member 26 and an operating crank 25, similar to those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, will be provided for imparting the rotational and swinging movements to the switch blade II. In this instance, the switch blade I1 is also shown as mounted upon a stub-shaft 44 having characteristics similar to those above described. An advantage of this modification is that the gear sector 4| and the pinion sector 43 are adapted to be completely enclosed within a housing 45 that forms a part of the switch blade supporting ber to turn about its axis in the direction indicated by the arrow and, as a result, the gear sector 4| will turn in a similar direction and,

through the pinion sector 43, impart rotation to the switch blade II in the manner and for the purpose above pointed out. In this operation, because of the .diiference in the pitch diameters of the gear sector 4| and the pinion sector 43, there will be an increased ratio of angular rotation and, due to this fact, it will be possible, by properly proportioning the pitch diameters of the gear sector 4| and the pinion sector 43, to provide for any necessary degree of rotation of the switch blade 11 to free it from the stationary contact l4, with the limited amount of pivotal movement available in the operation of the pivotal operating member 42.

In Figure 7 of the drawings there is shown a modification of our invention similar to that first above described, but in which the yoke-like member 26 is connected to a pivotal operating member 41 that pivots about an axis disposed radial to the axis about which a pivotally mounted switch blade supporting member 43 rotates and at an increased angle to the axis'of the rotatable switch blade Due to this disposal of the pivotal operating member 41, this latter member carries an outwardly and downwardly depending curved arm 49 which is connected through a link 53 to a similarly curved lever arm 5| that is secured upon the rotatable switch blade With this arrangement, as in member 46 which, like the supporting member I9, is journaled upon the bearing forming member [6 in a manner similar to that above described. With the parts in the positions shown it will be seen that when the crank arm 25 is turned in an operative direction, the yoke-like member 26 extending therefrom, when attached to the transversely disposed ends of the pivotal operating member 42, will cause this latter memblade to be rotated at a time when the switch.

blade I1 is substantially in its closed circuit position with respect to the cooperating stationary contact M. It will here be noted that the depending arm 49 is considerably longer than the lever arm 5| and, therefore, the angular rotation imparted to the switch blade l1 over that of the angular pivotal movement of the operating member 41, will be proportionally increased. While we have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose the invention so that the same can be readily understod, described and illustrated specific devices and arrangements, we desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and it is desired to claim it so that all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a support mountedto pivot about an axis extending at a right angle to the plane of movement of the switch blade, a switch blade with a beaver-tail end extending from and rotatably mounted upon said support, a stationary contact with which the beaver-tail end of said switch blade cooperates, a member pivotally mounted upon said support for movement about an axis in the plane of movement of said switch blade, means for initially imparting rotation to said of said switch blade will be first rotated out of contact making engagement with said stationary contact and finally withdrawn therefrom with substantially no further rotative movement with respect to said support.

2. In a disconnectingswitch, the combination of a support mounted to pivot about an axis extending at a right angle'to the plane of movement of the switch blade, a switch blade with a flattened contact portion extending from :and rotatably mounted upon said support, a stationary contact having opposed contact surfaces with which 'said flattened contact portion engages when said switch blade is rotated upon said support, a member pivotally mounted above and upon said support for movement about an axis in the plane of movement of said switch blade, means for initially imparting rotation to said member about its axis and subsequently moving it with said support about the pivotal axis of said support, and a rotation transmitting connection between said switch blade and said member having a ratio of angular transmission that will produce a greater rotation of said switch blade than the rotation of said member, whereby the flattened contact portion of said switch blade will be first rotated out of contact making engagement with the opposed surfaces of said stationary contact and finally withdrawn therefrom with substantially no further rotative movement with respect to said support.

3. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a support mounted to pivot about an axis extending at a right angle to the plane of movement of the switch blade, a tubular switch blade having a flattened stationary contact engaging end and rotatably mounted upon said support, a stationary contact having opposed contact surfaces with which the end of said switch blade cooperates, an operating member for imparting rotation to said switch blade pivotally mounted upon said support for movement about an axis spaced from and in the plane of movement of said switch blade, means for initially imparting a limited rotation to said operating member about its axis and subsequently moving it and said support about the pivotal axis of said support, and a rotation transmitting connection between said switch blade and said operating member having a ratio of angular transmission that will produce a greater angular rotation of said switch blade than the angular rotation of said operating member, whereby the contact engaging end of said switch blade will be first rotated out of contact making engagement with the opposed surfaces of said stationary contact and finally withdrawn therefrom with substantially no further rotative movement with respect to said support.

4. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a stationary contact, a pivotal switch blade support mounted in spaced relation to said stationary contact, a switch blade mounted for axial rotation upon said pivotal support and adapted to cooperate with said stationary contact, an operating member joumaled upon said pivotal support above said switch blade, said operating member having yoke-engaging ends disposed transversely to the axis of said switch blade, a yoke-like member engaging the ends of said operating member and extending oppositely to said switch blade, a crank arm movable in a horizontal plane to which the othei end of said yokelike member is connected, whereby a limited pivotal movement will be imparted to said operaating member as said crank arm moves through an overcenter position with respect to said yokelike member and a' swinging movement will be imparted to said switch blade as said crank arm moves through a remaining portion of its move ment, and an angular rotation transmitting connection between said operating member and said switch blade having a ratio of transmission which will impart a greater angular rotation to said switch blade than that of said operating member.

5. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a stationary contact, a pivotal switch blade support mounted in spaced relation to said stationary contact, a switch blade mounted for axial rotation upon said pivotal support and adapted to cooperate with said stationary contact, an operating member carried by said pivotal support and adapted to pivot about an axis tangent to the axis of said pivotal support, said operating member having yoke-engaging ends disposed transversely of its axis, a yoke-like member engaging the transversely disposed ends of said operating member and extending oppositely to said switch blade, a crank arm movable in a horizontal plane to which the other end of said yoke-like member is secured with a swivel-like connection, whereby a limited pivotal movement will be imparted to said operating member as said crank arm moves through an overcenter position with respect to said yoke-like member and a swinging movement will be imparted to said switch blade when said crank arm is turned through a remainin portion of its movement, and a lever arm and link connection between said operating member and said switch blade which will impart a greater angular rotation of said switch blade than that of said operating member.

6. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a stationary contact, a, pivotal switch blade supp rt mounted in spaced relation to said stationary contact, a switch blade rotatably mounted upon said Pivotal support and adapted to cooperate with said stationary contact, a pivotal operating member having transversely extending ends carried by said switch blade support above said switch blade, a yoke-like member engaging the ends of said pivotal operating member and adapted to impart a limited pivotal movement thereto, a crank arm movable in a horizontal plane and to which the other end of said yokelike member is connected, whereby said yoke-like member will operate to impart a circuit opening and closing movement to said switch blade when said crank arm is turned through a major portion of its movement, and an angular rotation transmitting connection between said pivotal operating member and said switch blade for imparting rotation of said switch blade when said crank arm moves through an overcenter position with respect to the axis of said switch blade.

7. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a stationary contact, a pivotal switch blade support mounted in spaced relation to said stationary contact, a switch blade mounted for axial rotation upon said pivotal support and adapted to cooperate with said stationary contact, an operating member carried by said pivotal support and adapted to pivot about an axis tangent to the axis of said pivotal support, said operating member having yoke-engaging ends disposed transversely of its axis, a yoke-like member engaging the transversely disposed ends of said operating member and extending oppositely to said switch blade, a crank arm movable in a horizontal plane to which the other end of said yokelike member is secured with a swivel-like connection, whereby a limited pivotal movement will be imparted to said operating member as said crank arm moves through an overoenter position with respect to said yoke-like member and a swinging movement will be imparted to said switch blade when said crank arm is turned through a remaining portion or its movement, and a gear and pinion rotation transmitting connection between said operating member and said switch blade which will impart a greater angular rotation of said switch blade than that of said operating member.

8. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a pivotally mounted switch blade support, a switch blade extending from said support and mounted for axial rotation with respect thereto, an operating member pivotally mounted upon said switch blade support for movement about an axis in the plane of movement of the switch blade, operating means connected to said operating member adapted to pivot said switch blade support about its axis and swing said switch blade between its closed and open circuit positions during one period of its operation and impart a limited pivotal movement to said operating member during another period its operation, and a rotation transmitting connection between said switch blade and said operating member adapted to impart rotation to said switch blade during the latter period or operation of said operating means.

9. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a switch blade support adapted to pivot about an axis extending at a right angle to the plane oi! movement of the switch blade, a switch blade extending from and rotatably mounted upon said switch blade support, an operating member carried by said switch blade support and Journaled to pivot about an axis displaced from the axis of said switch blade, said operating member having oppositely extending and transversely disposed yoke-supporting ends, a yoke-like member connected to said ends of the operating member and adapted to impart a limited pivotal movement to said operating member, a crank arm movable in a horizontal plane and to which the other end of said yoke-like member is connected, whereby said yoke-like member will operate to impart a circuit opening and closing movement to said switch blade when said crank arm is turned through a major portion of its movement, a lever arm extending centrally from said operating member and adapted to move through the plane of movement of said switch blade when said operating member is pivoted by said yoke-like member, a second lever arm secured upon and extending radially from said switch blade, and a link connection between said lever arms, whereby rotation will be transmitted to said switch blade as said first lever arm is moved through the plane of movement of said switch blade.

10. In a disconnecting switch, the combination of a switch blade support adapted to pivot about an axis extending at a right angle to the plane of movement of the switch blade, a switch blade extending from and rotatably mounted upon said switch blade support, a shaft carried by said switch blade support and journaled to rotate about an axis displaced from the axis of said switch blade, an operating member secured upon said shaft and having oppositely extending and transversely disposed yoke-supporting ends, a yoke-like member engaging the ends of said operating member and adapted to impart a limited rotation to said shaft, a crank arm movable in a horizontal plane and to which the other end of said yoke-like member is connected, whereby said yoke-like member will also operate to impart a circuit opening and closing movement to said switch blade when said crank arm is turned through a major portion of its movement, a gear sector secured upon said shaft, and a pinion sector secured upon said switch blade and meshing with said gear sector, whereby rotation will be transmitted to said switch blade as said shaft is rotated by said yoke-like member.

AUGUST C. SCHWAGER. CHARLES L. GARRISON. 

